Gas spring and damper assemblies as well as suspension systems including same

ABSTRACT

End members are supportable along a damper housing and dimensioned for securement to flexible spring member. End members include a wall with a side wall portion including an inner side surface portion. First projections extend toward a first inner edge with a first shoulder surface portion faces a second end. Second projections extend inward beyond the inner side surface portion toward a second inner edge with a second shoulder surface portion facing a first end. Second projections are spaced axially from first projections such that a groove is formed inward of the inner side surface portion between first and second shoulder surface portions. End member assemblies including such an end member as well as gas spring and damper assemblies and suspension systems are also included.

This application is the National Stage of International Application No.PCT/US2020/066755, filed on Dec. 23, 2020, which claims the benefit ofpriority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/956,121, filedon Dec. 31, 2019, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter of the present disclosure broadly relates to the artof gas spring devices and, more particularly, to end members for gasspring and damper assemblies that are dimensioned to support frictionand/or wear reducing bands or rings as well as end member assembliesincluding one or more of such friction and/or wear reducing bands orrings. Gas spring and damper assemblies including one or more of suchend member assemblies and suspension systems including one or more ofsuch gas spring and damper assemblies are also included.

The subject matter of the present disclosure may find particularapplication and use in conjunction with components for wheeled vehicles,and will be shown and described herein with reference thereto. However,it is to be appreciated that the subject matter of the presentdisclosure is also amenable to use in other applications andenvironments, and that the specific uses shown and described herein aremerely exemplary. For example, the subject matter of the presentdisclosure could be used in connection with gas spring and damperassemblies of non-wheeled vehicles, support structures, height adjustingsystems and actuators associated with industrial machinery, componentsthereof and/or other such equipment. Accordingly, the subject matter ofthe present disclosure is not intended to be limited to use associatedwith suspension systems of wheeled vehicles.

Wheeled motor vehicles of most types and kinds include a sprung mass,such as a body or chassis, for example, and an unsprung mass, such astwo or more axles or other wheel-engaging members, for example, with asuspension system disposed therebetween. Typically, a suspension systemwill include a plurality of spring elements as well as a plurality ofdamping devices that together permit the sprung and unsprung masses ofthe vehicle to move in a somewhat controlled manner relative to oneanother. Movement of the sprung and unsprung masses toward one anotheris normally referred to in the art as jounce motion while movement ofthe sprung and unsprung masses away from one another is commonlyreferred to in the art as rebound motion.

Generally, the plurality of spring elements function to accommodateforces and loads associated with the operation and use of the vehicle.The plurality of damping devices are operative to dissipate energyassociated with undesired inputs and movements of the sprung mass, suchas road inputs occurring under dynamic operation of a vehicle, forexample. Typically, such dampers are liquid filled and operativelyconnected between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass, such as between abody and an axle of a vehicle, for example. One example of such dampingcomponents are conventional shock absorbers that are commonly used invehicle suspension systems.

Suspension systems of a wide variety of types and kinds are generallywell known and permit relative movement between the sprung and unsprungmasses of a vehicle. In some cases, such relative movement may impart arelative rotation to the opposing end members of a gas spring of thesuspension system. Such condition often occurs in gas spring and damperassemblies in which a pressurized gas spring is assembled outwardlyalong an otherwise conventional damper. Such relative rotation isgenerally deemed undesirable as the same can induce a twist in theflexible wall of the gas spring assembly, which can lead to performancedegradation and/or other issues.

Various designs have been developed in an effort to eliminate orotherwise address such rotation-induced twisting of the gas springcomponents. As one example, the upper end member of the gas spring canbe secured on the sprung mass of a vehicle in a manner capable ofpermitting rotation rather than by rigidly securing the upper end memberto the unsprung mass of the vehicle. As another example, the lower endmember of the gas spring can be rotatably supported on the housing ofthe damper, such as by using a friction-reducing bearing, for example.In known designs, however, the configuration of the bearing element thatsupports the lower end member on the damper housing and thecorresponding sealing arrangement can, in some cases, permit lateralmovement of the second end member relative to the damper housing toundesirably occur. Attempts to minimize or at least decrease themagnitude and/or influence of such lateral movements have resulted inend member constructions having decreased manufacturability, increasedassembly time and/or costs, and/or other disadvantages.

Notwithstanding the overall success of known constructions, theforegoing and/or other disadvantages may still exist that could belimiting to broader adoption and/or use of gas spring and damperassemblies in connection with vehicular and/or other applications.Accordingly, it is believed desirable to develop constructions that mayaid in overcoming the foregoing and/or other problems and/ordisadvantages of known designs, and/or otherwise advance the art ofvehicle suspension systems and/or components thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

One example of an end member in accordance with the subject matter ofthe present disclosure can be supportable along an associated damperhousing and can be dimensioned for securement to an associated flexiblespring member. The end member can have a longitudinal axis and caninclude a wall extending peripherally about the longitudinal axis andlongitudinally between a first end and a second end opposite the firstend. The wall can include a side wall portion with an inner side surfaceportion facing radially inward. A plurality of first projections can bedisposed in peripherally-spaced relation to one another about thelongitudinal axis. The plurality of first projections can extend inwardbeyond the inner side surface portion from along the side wall portiontoward a first inner edge with a first shoulder surface portion orientedtransverse to the longitudinal axis and facing the second end of thebody wall. A plurality of second projections can be disposed inperipherally-spaced relation to one another about the longitudinal axis.The plurality of second projections can be spaced axially from theplurality of first projections in direction toward the second end of thebody wall. The plurality of second projections can extend inward beyondthe inner side surface portion from along the side wall portion toward asecond inner edge. A second shoulder surface portion can be orientedtransverse to the longitudinal axis and can face the first end such thata groove is formed inward of the inner side surface portion between thefirst shoulder surface portion of the plurality of first projections andthe second shoulder surface portion of the plurality of secondprojections.

One example of an end member assembly in accordance with the subjectmatter of the present disclosure can include an end member according tothe foregoing paragraph with the end member at least partially formedfrom a first material. The end member assembly can also include a bandthat is separate from the end member. The band can include a band wallat least partially formed from a second material with an outerperipheral surface portion, an inner peripheral surface portion, a firstaxial edge and a second axial edge. The band can be at least partiallydisposed within the groove of the end member such that the outerperipheral surface portion of the band wall is disposed in facingrelation to the inner side surface portion of the wall. Additionally,the first axial edge can be disposed in facing relation to the firstshoulder surface portion of the plurality of first projections and/orthe second axial edge can be disposed in facing relation to the secondshoulder surface portion of the plurality of second projections.

One example of a gas spring and damper assembly in accordance with thesubject matter of the present disclosure can include a damper assemblyhaving a longitudinally-extending axis and a gas spring assemblydisposed in axially coextensive relation with at least a portion of thedamper assembly. The damper assembly can include a damper housing with ahousing wall extending axially between opposing first and second ends.The housing wall can at least partially define a damping chambercontaining a quantity of damping fluid. A damper rod assembly caninclude an elongated damper rod and a damper piston secured along theelongated damper rod. The damper rod assembly can be operativelyinterengaged with the damper housing for reciprocal displacementrelative thereto with the damper piston disposed within the dampingchamber and at least a portion of the elongated damper rod projectingaxially-outwardly from the first end of the damper housing. The gasspring assembly can include a flexible spring member extendingperipherally about the longitudinal axis and longitudinally betweenopposing first and second ends such that a spring chamber is at leastpartially defined therebetween. A first end member can be operativelyconnected to the elongated damper rod and operatively secured across thefirst end of the flexible spring member such that a substantiallyfluid-tight connection is formed therebetween. An end member or an endmember assembly according either one of the foregoing two paragraphs canbe supported on the damper housing and operatively secured across thesecond end of the flexible spring member such that a substantiallyfluid-tight connection is formed therebetween.

One example of a suspension system in accordance with the subject matterof the present disclosure can include a pressurized gas system thatincludes a pressurized gas source and a control device. The suspensionsystem can also include at least one gas spring and damper assemblyaccording to the foregoing paragraph. The at least one gas spring anddamper assembly can be disposed in fluid communication with thepressurized gas source through the control device such that pressurizedgas can be selectively transferred into and out of the spring chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one example of a suspensionsystem of an associated vehicle that includes one or more gas spring anddamper assemblies in accordance with the subject matter of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of one example of a gas spring anddamper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the gas spring and damper assembly inFIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the gas spring and damper assemblyin FIGS. 2 and 3 .

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the gas spring and damper assembly in FIGS.2-4 .

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the gas spring and damperassembly in FIGS. 2-5 taken from along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the gas spring and damperassembly in FIGS. 2-6 taken from along line 7-7 in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the portion of the gas spring and damperassembly in FIGS. 2-7 identified as Detail 8 in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an end member assembly in accordance withthe subject matter of the present disclosure, such as is shown in FIGS.2-8 , for example.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an end member in accordance withthe subject matter of the present disclosure, such as is shown in FIGS.2-9 , for example.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the end member in FIGS. 2-10 .

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the end member in FIGS. 2-11 .

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the end member in FIGS. 2-12taken from along line 13-13 in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 14 is another cross-section side view of the end member in FIGS.2-13 taken from along line 14-14 in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional plan view of the end member in FIGS. 2-14taken from along line 15-15 in FIG. 12 .

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional plan view of the end member in FIGS. 2-15taken from along line 16-16 in FIG. 12 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, it is to be understood that the showingsare for purposes of illustrating examples of the subject matter of thepresent disclosure and that such examples are not intended to belimiting. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the drawings are notto scale and that portions of certain features and/or elements may beexaggerated for purposes of clarity and/or ease of understanding.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a suspension system 100 operativelydisposed between a sprung mass, such as an associated vehicle body BDY,for example, and an unsprung mass, such as an associated wheel WHL or anassociated suspension component SCP, for example, of an associatedvehicle VHC. It will be appreciated that any one or more of thecomponents of the suspension system can be operatively connected betweenthe sprung and unsprung masses of the associated vehicle in any suitablemanner.

For example, in the arrangement shown, suspension system 100 can includea plurality of gas spring and damper assemblies 102 that are operativelyconnected between the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle.Depending on desired performance characteristics and/or other factors,the suspension system can include any suitable number of gas spring anddamper assemblies. For example, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 ,suspension system 100 includes four gas spring and damper assemblies102, one of which is disposed toward each corner of the associatedvehicle adjacent a corresponding wheel WHL. It will be appreciated,however, that any other suitable number of gas spring and damperassemblies could alternately be used in any other configuration and/orarrangement. As shown in FIG. 1 , gas spring and damper assemblies 102are supported between suspension components SCP and body BDY ofassociated vehicle VHC, and include a gas spring (or gas springassembly) 104 and a damper (or damper assembly) 106. It will berecognized that gas springs 104 are shown and described herein as beingof a rolling lobe-type construction. It is to be understood, however,that gas spring assemblies of other types, kinds and/or constructionscould alternately be used without departing from the subject matter ofthe present disclosure.

Suspension system 100 also includes a pressurized gas system 108operatively associated with the gas spring and damper assemblies forselectively supplying pressurized gas (e.g., air) thereto andselectively transferring pressurized gas therefrom. In the exemplaryarrangement shown in FIG. 1 , pressurized gas system 108 includes apressurized gas source, such as a compressor 110, for example, forgenerating pressurized air or other gases. A control device, such as avalve assembly 112, for example, is shown as being in communication withcompressor 110 and can be of any suitable configuration or arrangement.In the exemplary embodiment shown, valve assembly 112 includes a valveblock 114 with a plurality of valves 116 supported thereon. Valveassembly 112 can also, optionally, include a suitable exhaust, such as amuffler 118, for example, for venting pressurized gas from the system.Optionally, pressurized gas system 108 can also include a reservoir 120in fluid communication with the compressor and/or valve assembly 112 andsuitable for storing pressurized gas for an extended period of time(e.g., seconds, minutes, hours, weeks, days, months).

Valve assembly 112 is in communication with gas springs 104 and/ordampers 106 of assemblies 102 through suitable gas transfer lines 122.As such, pressurized gas can be selectively transferred into and/or outof the gas springs and/or the dampers through valve assembly 112 byselectively operating valves 116, such as to alter or maintain vehicleheight at one or more corners of the vehicle, for example.

Suspension system 100 can also include a control system 124 that iscapable of communication with any one or more systems and/or componentsof vehicle VHC and/or suspension system 100, such as for selectiveoperation and/or control thereof. Control system 124 can include acontroller or electronic control unit (ECU) 126 communicatively coupledwith compressor 110 and/or valve assembly 112, such as through aconductor or lead 128, for example, for selective operation and controlthereof, which can include supplying and exhausting pressurized gas toand/or from gas spring and damper assemblies 102. Controller 126 can beof any suitable type, kind and/or configuration.

Control system 124 can also, optionally, include one or more sensingdevices 130, such as, for example, may be operatively associated withthe gas spring and damper assemblies and capable of outputting orotherwise generating data, signals and/or other communications having arelation to one or more of: a height of the gas spring and damperassemblies; a distance between other components of the vehicle; apressure or temperature having a relation to the gas spring and damperassembly and/or a wheel or tire or other component associated with thegas spring and damper assembly; and/or an acceleration, load or otherinput acting on the gas spring and damper assembly. Sensing devices 130can be in communication with ECU 126, which can receive the data,signals and/or other communications therefrom. The sensing devices canbe in communication with ECU 126 in any suitable manner, such as throughconductors or leads 132, for example. Additionally, it will beappreciated that the sensing devices can be of any suitable type, kindand/or construction and can operate using any suitable combination ofone or more operating principles and/or techniques.

Having described an example of a suspension system (e.g., suspensionsystem 100) that can include gas spring and damper assemblies inaccordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, an exampleof such a gas spring and damper assembly will now be described inconnection with FIGS. 2-9 . As shown therein, a gas spring and damperassembly AS1, such as may be suitable for use as one or more of gasspring and damper assemblies 102 in FIG. 1 , is shown as including a gasspring (or gas spring assembly) GS1, such as may correspond to one ofgas springs 104 in FIG. 1 , for example, and a damper (or damperassembly) DP1 such as may correspond to one of dampers 106 in FIG. 1 ,for example. Gas spring assembly GS1 and damper assembly DP1 can bedisposed in a coextensive arrangement with one another, and can beoperatively secured to one another in any suitable manner, such as isdescribed hereinafter, for example. A longitudinal axis AX extendslengthwise along assembly AS1, as shown in FIG. 7 .

Damper assembly DP1 can include a damper housing 200 and a damper rodassembly 202 that is at least partially received in the damper housing.Damper housing 200 extends axially between housing ends 204 and 206, andincludes a housing wall 208 that at least partially defines a dampingchamber 210. Damper rod assembly 202 extends lengthwise between opposingends 212 and 214 and includes an elongated damper rod 216 and a damperpiston 218 disposed along end 214 of damper rod assembly 202. Damperpiston 218 is received within damping chamber 210 of damper housing 200for reciprocal movement along the housing wall in a conventional manner.A quantity of damping fluid 220 can be disposed within damping chamber210, and damper piston 218 can be displaced through the damping fluid todissipate kinetic energy acting on gas spring and damper assembly AS1.Though damper assembly DP1 is shown and described herein as having aconventional construction in which a hydraulic fluid is contained withinat least a portion of damping chamber 210, it will be recognized andappreciated that dampers of other types, kinds and/or constructions,such as pressurized gas or “air” dampers, for example, could be usedwithout departing from the subject matter of the present disclosure.

That is, it will be appreciated that a gas spring and damper assembly inaccordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can, insome cases, include a damper of an otherwise conventional constructionthat utilizes hydraulic oil or other liquid as a working medium of thedamper. In other cases, the damper can be of a type and kind thatutilizes pressurized gas as a working medium. In such cases, such a gasdamper can include one or more elongated gas damping passages throughwhich pressurized gas can flow to generate pressurized gas damping todissipate kinetic energy acting on the gas spring and damper assembly.It will be appreciated that such one or more elongated gas dampingpassages can be of any suitable size, shape, configuration and/orarrangement. Additionally, it will be appreciated that any number of oneor more features and/or components can be used, either alone or incombination with one another, to form or otherwise establish such one ormore elongated gas damping passages.

Housing wall 208 can form an opening (not numbered) along housing end204. A damper end wall 222 can extend across the opening and can besecured on or along housing wall 218 such that a substantiallyfluid-tight connection is formed therebetween. Damper end wall 222 caninclude an opening (not numbered) and elongated damper rod 216 canextend axially outward from damping chamber 210 through the opening in adirection opposite housing end 206. Additionally, a damper end wall (notnumbered) can be connected across end 206 of damper housing 200 suchthat a substantially fluid-tight connection is formed therebetween. Insome cases, an end cap 224 (which is sometimes referred to in the art asa striker cap) that includes an outer side surface portion 226 can besupported on or along end 204 of damper housing 200. In other cases, anoutside surface portion 228 of housing wall 208 can be exposed on oralong end 204 of the damper housing.

Elongated damper rod 216 can project outwardly from damper end wall 222such that end 212 of the damper rod assembly is outwardly exposed fromthe damper housing and is externally accessible with respect to thedamper housing. A connection structure 230, such as a plurality ofthreads, for example, can be provided on or along the elongated rod foruse in operatively connecting gas spring and damper assembly 200, eitherdirectly or indirectly, to an associated vehicle structure, a componentof gas spring assembly GS1 or another component of gas spring and damperassembly AS1.

It will be appreciated that gas spring and damper assembly AS1 can beoperatively connected between associated sprung and unsprung masses ofan associated vehicle (or other construction) in any suitable manner.For example, one end of the assembly can be operatively connected to anassociated sprung mass with the other end of the assembly disposedtoward and operatively connected to an associated unsprung mass. Asshown in FIG. 3 , for example, end 212 of damper rod assembly 202 can beoperatively engaged (either directly or indirectly) with a first orupper structural component USC, such as associated vehicle body BDY inFIG. 1 , for example, and can be secured thereon in any suitable manner.As one non-limiting example, gas spring and damper assembly AS1 caninclude an end member assembly EM1 that can be secured to upperstructural component USC and to which one or more components of gasspring assembly GS1 and/or one or more components of damper assembly DS1can be operatively connected. Additionally, or in the alternative,damper assembly DP1 can include a mounting bracket 232 disposed alongend 206 of damper housing 200, which can be secured on or along a secondor lower structural component LSC (FIG. 3 ), such as associatedsuspension component SCP in FIG. 1 , for example, and can be securedthereon in any suitable manner.

Gas spring assembly GS1 can include a flexible spring member 300 thatcan extend peripherally around axis AX and can be secured betweenopposing end members (or end member assemblies) in a substantiallyfluid-tight manner such that a spring chamber 302 is at least partiallydefined therebetween. As a non-limiting example, end member assembly EM1can include an end member 400 to which one end of flexible spring member300 can be secured and an end member 500 to which end 212 of damper rodassembly 202 can be operatively connected. Additionally, or in thealternative, gas spring assembly GS1 can include an end member assembly600 that is supported on or along damper housing 200. The end offlexible spring member 300 that is opposite end member 400 can besecured on or along end member assembly 600 in any suitable manner.Additionally, it will be appreciated that end member 600 can beoperatively supported on or along damper housing 200 in a suitablemanner. As a non-limiting example, damper assembly DP1 can include asupport wall or support wall portion 234 that extends radially outwardfrom along the damper housing toward an outer peripheral edge 236.Support wall portion 234 can include a surface portion 238 facing towardend 204 of damper housing 200 and a surface portion 240 facing towardend 206 of the damper housing. Support wall portion 234 can be supportedon or along the damper housing in any suitable manner, such as by way ofone or more flowed-material joints 242, for example. If included, endcap 224 can include a cap wall 244 with an end wall portion 246 orientedtransverse to longitudinal axis AX and a side wall portion 248 extendingaxially about the longitudinal axis. Side wall portion 248 can includeouter side surface portion 226 that faces radially outward and forms anoutermost peripheral extent of damper assembly DP1 along end 204 of thedamper housing.

It will be appreciated that flexible spring member 300 can be of anysuitable size, shape, construction and/or configuration. Additionally,the flexible spring member can be of any type and/or kind, such as arolling lobe-type or convoluted bellows-type construction, for example.Flexible spring member 300 is shown in FIGS. 2-9 as including a flexiblewall 304 that can be formed in any suitable manner and from any suitablematerial or combination of materials. For example, the flexible wall caninclude one or more fabric-reinforced, elastomeric plies or layersand/or one or more un-reinforced, elastomeric plies or layers.Typically, one or more fabric-reinforced, elastomeric plies and one ormore un-reinforced, elastomeric plies will be used together and formedfrom a common elastomeric material, such as a synthetic rubber, anatural rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. In other cases, however, acombination of two or more different materials, two or more compounds ofsimilar materials, or two or more grades of the same material could beused.

Flexible wall 304 can extend in a generally longitudinal directionbetween opposing ends 306 and 308. Additionally, flexible wall 304 caninclude an outer surface 310 and an inner surface 312. The inner surfacecan at least partially define spring chamber 302 of gas spring assemblyGS1. Flexible wall 304 can include an outer or cover ply (notidentified) that at least partially forms outer surface 310. Flexiblewall 304 can also include an inner or liner ply (not identified) that atleast partially forms inner surface 312. In some cases, flexible wall304 can further include one or more reinforcing plies (not shown)disposed between outer and inner surfaces 310 and 312. The one or morereinforcing plies can be of any suitable construction and/orconfiguration. For example, the one or more reinforcing plies caninclude one or more lengths of filament material that are at leastpartially embedded therein. Additionally, it will be appreciated thatthe one or more lengths of filament material, if provided, can beoriented in any suitable manner. As one example, the flexible wall caninclude at least one layer or ply with lengths of filament materialoriented at one bias angle and at least one layer or ply with lengths offilament material oriented at an equal but opposite bias angle.

Flexible spring member 300 can include any feature or combination offeatures suitable for forming a substantially fluid-tight connectionwith end member 400 of end member assembly EM1 and/or suitable forforming a substantially fluid-tight connection with end member assembly600. As one example, flexible spring member 300 can include open endsthat are secured on or along the corresponding end members by way of oneor more crimp rings 314 and 316. Alternately, a mounting bead (notshown) can be disposed along either or both of the ends of the flexiblewall. In some cases, the mounting bead, if provided, can, optionally,include a reinforcing element, such as an endless, annular bead wire,for example. In some cases, a restraining cylinder 318 and/or othercomponents can be disposed radially outward along flexible wall 304. Insome cases, such components can be secured on or along the flexible wallin a suitable manner, such as by way or one or more backing rings 320,for example.

As mentioned above, gas spring and damper assembly AS1 can be disposedbetween associated sprung and unsprung masses of an associated vehiclein any suitable manner. For example, one component can be operativelyconnected to the associated sprung mass with another component disposedtoward and operatively connected to the associated unsprung mass. Asshown in FIGS. 2-5 , for example, end member 500 can include one or morefasteners 502 operable to secure end member assembly EM1 on or alongupper structural component USC, such as associated vehicle body BDY inFIG. 1 , for example. Damper assembly DP1 can be operatively connectedto the upper structural component by way of end member assembly EM1, andcan be operatively engaged with the end member assembly in any suitablemanner. For example, damper assembly DP1 can include a bushing 250supported on or along end member 500 and to which damper rod assembly202 is secured, such as by way of a connector 252 engaging connectionstructure 230 along end 212 of elongated damper rod 216, for example.Bushing 250 can be supported on or along end member 500 and can beoperatively secured thereto in any suitable manner. As a non-limitingexample, bushing 250 could be captured between end member 500 and an endcap 254 that can be secured on or along the end member in a suitablemanner, such as by way of a retaining ring 256, for example. In somecases, a connector fitting 258 can extend through or otherwise bedisposed on or along end cap 254, such as may provide communicativecoupling of electrical and/or pressurized gas systems and/or deviceswith gas spring and damper assembly AS1.

It will be appreciated that gas spring and damper assembly AS1 isdisplaceable, during use in normal operation, between extended andcompressed conditions. In some cases, one or more jounce bumpers can beincluded to inhibit contact between one or more features and/orcomponents of assembly AS1. For example, damper assembly DP1 can includea jounce bumper 260 positioned on or along elongated damper rod 216within spring chamber 302. It will be appreciated that the jouncebumper, if provided, can be supported in any suitable manner. As anon-limiting example, jounce bumper 260 can be supported on end memberassembly 500 to substantially inhibit contact between a component ofdamper assembly DP1 and end member assembly 500 during a full jouncecondition of assembly AS1. It will be appreciated, however, that otherconfigurations and/or arrangements could alternately be used.

Additionally, as discussed above, gas spring and damper assembly AS1 canexperience or otherwise relative rotation during displacement betweenextended and compressed conditions. It will be appreciated that suchrelative rotation can be disadvantageous to flexible spring member 300,and that gas spring and damper assemblies commonly include on or morefeatures, components and/or constructions operable to isolate suchrelative rotation from the flexible spring member. For example, in somecases, the operative connection to upper structural component USC caninclude one or more rotatable or twistable components. In such cases,end member assembly 600 can be directly supported in asubstantially-fixed rotational position on or along the support wall ofthe damper assembly. In other cases, however, end member assembly EM1can be secured on or along upper structural component USC in asubstantially-fixed rotational orientation. In such cases, gas springand damper assembly AS1 can include a torsional isolator 700 that can besupported on or along support wall portion 234 of damper assembly DP1.Torsional isolator 700 can include an elastomeric or otherwise compliantbody 702 supported between a (comparatively) rigid body 704 and a(comparatively) rigid body 706. It will be appreciated that compliantbody 702 can be permanently secured (i.e., inseparable without damage,destruction or material alteration of at least one of the componentparts) to and/or between rigid bodies 704 and 706, such as by way of acured joint (e.g., vulcanized) and/or a flowed-material joint.

It will be appreciated that torsional isolator 700 can be supportedbetween support wall portion 234 and end member assembly 600 in anysuitable manner. As a non-limiting example, rigid body 706 can include asurface portion 708 disposed in facing relation to surface portion 238of support wall portion 234. Rigid body 706 can also include one or moremounting studs 710 or other securement devices that can extend throughcorresponding holes 262 in support wall portion 234. In such anarrangement, rigid body 706 can be supported on damper assembly DP1 in asubstantially-fixed position in at least one axial direction and in asubstantially-fixed rotational orientation. A seal 712 can be sealinglydisposed between rigid body 706 and damper housing 200 such that asubstantially fluid-tight arrangement is formed therebetween. In somecases, rigid body 706 can include an annular recess 714 extending intothe rigid body from along surface portion 708, and seal 712 can bedisposed within the annular recess together with a base ring 716 thatsupports the seal in axially-spaced relation to support wall portion234.

Rigid body 704 can include a rigid body wall 718 with a flange wallportion 720 oriented transverse to longitudinal axis AX and a pilot wallportion 722 that extends axially from along flange wall portion 720 in adirection away from rigid body 706. Flange wall portion 720 can extendradially outward to an outer peripheral edge 724, and can include asurface portion 726 facing opposite surface portion 708. Pilot wallportion 722 extends axially toward a distal end surface portion 728facing opposite surface portion 708, and includes an outer side surfaceportion 730 facing radially outward. Rigid body 704 can be operativelyconnected with end member assembly 600 such that a substantially-fixedrotational position is maintained therebetween. As such, rigid body 704can include one or more projections 732 extending outward from alongsurface portion 726 that are received within corresponding passages 602in the end member assembly, such as to transmit rotational forces and/orloads to, from and/or between rigid body 704 and the end memberassembly. In some cases, one or more projections 734 can extend fromalong rigid body 704 in a direction transverse to longitudinal axis AX,such as from along outer peripheral edge 724, for example.

A seal 736 can be sealingly disposed between rigid body 704 and endmember assembly 600 such that a substantially fluid-tight arrangement isformed therebetween. In some cases, rigid body 704 can include anannular groove 738 extending into the rigid body, such as from alongouter side surface portion 730, and seal 732 can be at least partiallyreceived within the annular groove. It will be appreciated, however,that other configurations and/or arrangements can alternately be used.During use, rigid body 706 is maintained in a substantially-fixedrotational position relative to damper assembly DP1, and rigid body 704is maintained in a substantially-fixed rotational position relative toend member assembly 600. As such, seal 712 and seal 734 each form asubstantially-static seal arrangement between the correspondingcomponents rather than forming a dynamic seal arrangement, such as maybe used in known constructions. Accordingly, rotational displacementthat may occur during use between one or more components of damperassembly DP1 and one or more components of gas spring assembly GS1 isisolated (or at least substantially reduced) from flexible spring member300 by deflection of compliant body 702, which permits rigid bodies 704and 706 to rotate relative to one another about longitudinal axis AX.

End member assembly 600 is of a type and kind commonly referred to as aroll-off piston or piston assembly. It will be appreciated that endmember assembly 600 can include any suitable number of one or morecomponents and/or elements. For example, in the arrangement shown anddescribed herein, end member assembly 600 includes an end member core604 that is disposed along and supported on damper housing 200, such asby way of torsional isolator 700, as described above. An end membershell (or shell section) 606 is supported on the end member core and caninclude an outer surface 608 along which a rolling lobe 322 of flexiblespring member 300 can be displaced as gas spring and damper assembly AS1is displaced between compressed and extended conditions. It will beappreciated that end member core 604 can be configured to receive andsupport one or more end member shells and/or shell sections, such as mayhave any one of a wide variety of different sizes, shapes and/orconfigurations (e.g., outer profiles with different combinations ofcontours and/or shapes).

Additionally, it will be appreciated that end member assembly 600 andthe one or more components and/or elements thereof can be formed fromany suitable material or combination of materials, and can include anysuitable number or combination of one or more walls and/or wallportions. For example, end member core 604 and/or end member shellsections 606 can be formed from a suitable polymeric material orcombination of polymeric materials, such as a fiber-reinforcedpolypropylene, a fiber-reinforced polyamide, or an unreinforced (i.e.,relatively high-strength) thermoplastic (e.g., polyester, polyethylene,polyamide, polyether or any combination thereof), for example.

End member core 604 is shown as extending peripherally about axis AX andlongitudinally between opposing ends 610 and 612. End member core 604can include a first or upper mounting section 614 toward end 610 and onor along which end 308 of flexible spring member 300 can be operativelyconnected in a suitable manner. For example, retaining ring 316 can becrimped radially-inward or otherwise deformed to form a substantiallyfluid-tight connection between end 308 of flexible spring member 300 andmounting section 614 of end member core 604. In this manner, springchamber 302 can be at least partially defined by flexible spring member300 between end member 400 and end member assembly 600, such as has beendescribed above.

End member core 604 can include a core wall 616 that extendsperipherally about axis AX and longitudinally between ends 610 and 612.Core wall 616 can include a first or outer wall portion 618 disposedalong end 610 that terminates at a distal edge 620. In some cases, outerwall portion 618 can at least partially define an outermost peripheryalong a longitudinal section of end member core 616, such as alongmounting section 614, for example. Outer wall portion 618 can,optionally, include one or more engagement features disposed along anouter surface portion 622 thereof that may be suitable for engaging anend or other surface portion of flexible spring member 300 to therebyenhance retention of the flexible spring member and end member assemblyin an assembled condition. As a non-limiting example, the one or moreengagement features disposed on or along the outer surface of outer wallportion 618 can include a plurality of axially-spaced, endless, annulargrooves 624. It will be appreciated, however, that other configurationsand/or arrangements could alternately be used. A backing ring 626, suchas may be formed as an endless, annular ring of metal or other rigidmaterial, for example, can be disposed radially inward of outer wallportion 618 to provide increased rigidity and/or strength to the crimpedconnection between the flexible spring member and the end member corethat is formed by retaining ring 324.

In some cases, outer wall portion 618 can take the form of an endless,annular wall that extends circumferentially about end member assembly600. Core wall 616 can also include a second or inner wall portion 628that is spaced radially-inward from outer wall portion 618 such that anannular channel 630 is formed therebetween. Inner wall portion 628 canextend peripherally about axis AX, and can extend axially toward adistal edge 632 that can, in some cases, be disposed in approximatealignment with distal edge 620 of outer wall portion 618. In such cases,the distal edge of inner wall portion 628 can, optionally, be disposedin a common plane with distal edge 620 of outer wall portion 618.Additionally, at least a portion of inner wall portion 628 can beco-extensive (i.e., extending in axially-overlapping relation with oneanother) with outer wall portion 618.

Core wall 616 of end member core 604 can also include a second orintermediate section 634 that extends from along upper mounting section614 in a direction toward end 612 of the end member core. Intermediatesection 634 can include an outer surface portion 636 dimensioned toreceivingly engage one or more of end member shells or sections, whichcan be secured therealong in any suitable manner. As one example, theend member shell can include a shell wall 638 that can be split or,alternately, formed into two or more shell wall sections 606 that can beassembled together around intermediate section 634. It will beappreciated, however, that other configurations and/or arrangementscould alternately be used. Additionally, shell wall 638 can include acontoured outer surface portion (not numbered) that at least partiallyforms outer surface 608 of end member assembly 600 along which rollinglobe 322 is displaced during use.

Core wall 616 of end member core 604 can also include a third or lowermounting section 640 disposed at or along end 612 that can bedimensioned or otherwise configured to at least partially support endmember assembly 600 in an axial direction on or along damper assemblyDP1. Core wall 616 can also include an inner surface portion 642 thatcan at least partially define a passage 644 through end member core 604.Core wall 616 can, optionally, include one or more elongated ribs 646that can be disposed in peripherally-spaced relation to one anotherabout axis AX and can extend longitudinally along inner surface portion642. If included, elongated ribs 646 can be dimensioned to form asliding or clearance fit along outer surface 228 of damper housing 200.

Additionally, a wear-reducing and/or friction-reducing band 648 can bedisposed along mounting section 614, such as may be dimensioned foroperative engagement with outer side surface portion 226 of end cap 224and/or outside surface portion 228 of housing wall 208. Band 648 caninclude an inner surface portion 650 and an outer surface portion 652.Band 648 can extend axially between edges 654 and 656, and can take theform of an endless annular ring or a split ring. In the latter case,band 648 can include ends 658 and 660. It will be appreciated that band648 can be secured on or along end member core 604 in any suitablemanner such that band 648 can rotate with end member core 604, as endmember assembly 600 is rotationally displaced relative to damperassembly DP1, such as has been described above in connection with theoperation of torsional isolator 700.

As one non-limiting example, inner wall portion 628 of mounting section614 can include an inner surface portion 662 facing radially inward.Additionally, inner wall portion 628 can include a plurality of firstprojections 664 that are peripherally-spaced apart from one anotherabout longitudinal axis AX. Plurality of first projections 664 caninclude a shoulder surface portion 666 disposed in facing relation toend 612 of end member core 604. Shoulder surface portions 666 can extendradially inward from along inner surface portion 662 towardradially-inward edges 668 of the first projections. Additionally, innerwall portion 628 can include a plurality of second projections 670disposed in peripherally-spaced relation to one another about thelongitudinal axis. Plurality of second projections 670 can include ashoulder surface portion 672 facing toward end 610 of the end membercore. Shoulder surface portions 672 can extend radially inward fromalong inner surface portion 662 toward radially-inward edges 674.Plurality of second projections 670 can be disposed in axially-spacedrelation to plurality of first projections 664 in a direction toward end612 such that a groove 676 facing radially inward and bounded by innersurface portion 662 and shoulder surface portions 666 and 672 is formedalong end member core 604. Groove 676 can be dimensioned to at leastpartially receive band 648 with at least inner surface portion 650projecting radially inward beyond projections 664 and 670.

Inner wall portion 628 can include a plurality of slots 678 extendingaxially into the inner wall portion from along distal edge 632 in adirection toward end 612. In such case, inner surface portion 662 can beseparated into a plurality of inner surface portions or segments. Insuch an arrangement, first projections 664 and/or the first shoulderportions thereof can extend peripherally between projection edges 680and 682. Additionally, or in the alternative, second projections 670and/or the second shoulder portions thereof can extend peripherallybetween projection edges 684 and 686.

End member core 604 can be configured such that radially-inward edges668 of first projections 664 form the radially innermost extents of corewall 616 from shoulder surface portions 666 to end 612 of the end membercore. Additionally, or in the alternative, the end member core can beconfigured such that radially-inward edges 674 of second projections 670form the radially innermost extends of core wall 616 from shouldersurface portions 672 to end 610 of the end member core. In such aconfiguration, first projections 664 and second projections 670 can forminterleaved annular sectors extending around longitudinal axis AX, whichare represented in FIGS. 15 and 16 by reference dimensions SC1 and SC2.

As used herein with reference to certain features, elements, componentsand/or structures, numerical ordinals (e.g., first, second, third,fourth, etc.) may be used to denote different singles of a plurality orotherwise identify certain features, elements, components and/orstructures, and do not imply any order or sequence unless specificallydefined by the claim language. Additionally, the terms “transverse,” andthe like, are to be broadly interpreted. As such, the terms“transverse,” and the like, can include a wide range of relative angularorientations that include, but are not limited to, an approximatelyperpendicular angular orientation. Also, the terms “circumferential,”“circumferentially,” and the like, are to be broadly interpreted and caninclude, but are not limited to circular shapes and/or configurations.In this regard, the terms “circumferential,” “circumferentially,” andthe like, can be synonymous with terms such as “peripheral,”“peripherally,” and the like.

Furthermore, the phrase “flowed-material joint” and the like, if usedherein, are to be interpreted to include any joint or connection inwhich a liquid or otherwise flowable material (e.g., a melted metal orcombination of melted metals) is deposited or otherwise presentedbetween adjacent component parts and operative to form a fixed andsubstantially fluid-tight connection therebetween. Examples of processesthat can be used to form such a flowed-material joint include, withoutlimitation, welding processes, brazing processes and solderingprocesses. In such cases, one or more metal materials and/or alloys canbe used to form such a flowed-material joint, in addition to anymaterial from the component parts themselves. Another example of aprocess that can be used to form a flowed-material joint includesapplying, depositing or otherwise presenting an adhesive betweenadjacent component parts that is operative to form a fixed andsubstantially fluid-tight connection therebetween. In such case, it willbe appreciated that any suitable adhesive material or combination ofmaterials can be used, such as one-part and/or two-part epoxies, forexample.

Further still, the term “gas” is used herein to broadly refer to anygaseous or vaporous fluid. Most commonly, air is used as the workingmedium of gas spring devices, such as those described herein, as well assuspension systems and other components thereof. However, it will beunderstood that any suitable gaseous fluid could alternately be used.

It will be recognized that numerous different features and/or componentsare presented in the embodiments shown and described herein, and that noone embodiment may be specifically shown and described as including allsuch features and components. As such, it is to be understood that thesubject matter of the present disclosure is intended to encompass anyand all combinations of the different features and components that areshown and described herein, and, without limitation, that any suitablearrangement of features and components, in any combination, can be used.Thus it is to be distinctly understood claims directed to any suchcombination of features and/or components, whether or not specificallyembodied herein, are intended to find support in the present disclosure.To aid the Patent Office and any readers of this application and anyresulting patent in interpreting the claims appended hereto, Applicantdoes not intend any of the appended claims or any claim elements toinvoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” areexplicitly used in the particular claim.

Thus, while the subject matter of the present disclosure has beendescribed with reference to the foregoing embodiments and considerableemphasis has been placed herein on the structures and structuralinterrelationships between the component parts of the embodimentsdisclosed, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made andthat many changes can be made in the embodiments illustrated anddescribed without departing from the principles hereof. Obviously,modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading andunderstanding the preceding detailed description. Accordingly, it is tobe distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative of the subject matter of the presentdisclosure and not as a limitation. As such, it is intended that thesubject matter of the present disclosure be construed as including allsuch modifications and alterations.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An end member having a longitudinal axissupportable along an associated damper housing and dimensioned forsecurement to an associated flexible spring member, said end membercomprising: a wall extending peripherally about said longitudinal axisand longitudinally between a first end and a second end opposite saidfirst end, said wall including: a side wall portion including an innerside surface portion facing radially inward; a plurality of firstprojections disposed in peripherally-spaced relation to one anotherabout said longitudinal axis, said plurality of first projectionsextending inward beyond said inner side surface portion from along saidside wall portion toward a first inner edge with a first shouldersurface portion oriented transverse to said longitudinal axis and facingsaid second end of said wall; and, a plurality of second projectionsdisposed in peripherally-spaced relation to one another about saidlongitudinal axis, said plurality of second projections spaced axiallyfrom said plurality of first projections in direction toward said secondend of said wall, said plurality of second projections extending inwardbeyond said inner side surface portion from along said side wall portiontoward a second inner edge with a second shoulder surface portionoriented transverse to said longitudinal axis and facing said first endsuch that a groove is formed inward of said inner side surface portionbetween said first shoulder surface portion of said plurality of firstprojections and said second shoulder surface portion of said pluralityof second projections.
 2. The end member according to claim 1, whereinone of said plurality of second projections is peripherally positionedbetween two adjacent ones of said plurality of first projections.
 3. Theend member according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality ofsecond projections is peripherally positioned between two adjacent onesof said plurality of first projections.
 4. The end member according toclaim 1, wherein said inner side surface portion includes a plurality ofinner side surface portions disposed in peripherally-spaced relation toone another about said longitudinal axis.
 5. The end member according toclaim 4, wherein said wall includes a plurality of slots extendingoutward of said inner side surface portion into said side wall portionwith one of said plurality of slots disposed between adjacent ones ofsaid plurality of inner side surface portions.
 6. The end memberaccording to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of firstprojections extends peripherally between a first projection edge and asecond projection edge opposite said first projection edge.
 7. The endmember according to claim 6, wherein said first shoulder surface portionextends peripherally between said first projection edge and said secondprojection edge of each of said plurality of first projections.
 8. Theend member according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality ofsecond projections extends peripherally between a first projection edgeand a second projection edge opposite said first projection edge.
 9. Theend member according to claim 8, wherein said second shoulder surfaceportion extends peripherally between said first projection edge and saidsecond projection edge of each of said plurality of second projections.10. The end member according to claim 1, wherein said first inner edgeof one of said plurality of first projections defines aradially-innermost extent of said wall of said end member within a firstannular sector extending axially from said first shoulder surfaceportion toward said second end of said end member.
 11. The end memberaccording to claim 1, wherein said first inner edge of each of saidplurality of first projections defines a radially-innermost extent ofsaid wall of said end member within a first annular sector extendingaxially from said first shoulder surface portion such that a pluralityof first annular sectors are disposed in peripherally spaced relation toone another about said longitudinal axis.
 12. The end member accordingto claim 1, wherein said second inner edge of one of said plurality ofsecond projections defines a radially-innermost extent of said wall ofsaid end member within a second annular sector extending axially fromsaid second shoulder surface portion to said first end of said endmember.
 13. The end member according to claim 1, wherein said secondinner edge of each of said plurality of second projections defines aradially-innermost extent of said wall of said end member within asecond annular sector extending axially from said second shouldersurface portion toward said first end of said end member such that aplurality of second annular sectors are disposed in peripherally spacedrelation to one another about said longitudinal axis.
 14. The end memberaccording to claim 11, wherein said second inner edge of each of saidplurality of second projections defines a radially-innermost extent ofsaid wall of said end member within a second annular sector extendingaxially from said second shoulder surface portion toward said first endof said end member such that a plurality of second annular sectors aredisposed in peripherally spaced relation to one another about saidlongitudinal axis with each of said plurality of first annular sectorsperipherally disposed between two adjacent ones of said plurality ofsecond annular sectors.
 15. The end member according to claim 1, whereinsaid wall of said end member includes a crimp wall portion disposedradially outward of said side wall portion, said crimp wall portionincluding an outer peripheral surface portion dimensioned to receivinglyengage the associated flexible spring member.
 16. An end member assemblycomprising: said end member according to claim 1 being at leastpartially formed from a first material; and, a band separate from saidend member, said band including a band wall at least partially formedfrom a second material, said band including an outer peripheral surfaceportion, an inner peripheral surface portion, a first axial edge and asecond axial edge, and said band at least partially disposed within saidgroove of said end member such that: said outer peripheral surfaceportion of said band wall is disposed in facing relation to said innerside surface portion of said wall; said first axial edge is disposed infacing relation to said first shoulder surface portion of said pluralityof first projections; and, said second axial edge is disposed in facingrelation to said second shoulder surface portion of said plurality ofsecond projections.
 17. The end member assembly according to claim 16further comprising a backing ring separate from said end member and saidband, said backing ring disposed radially outward of said side wallportion of said end member and including a backing ring wall formed froma third material that is different from at least said first material ofsaid end member.
 18. The end member assembly according to claim 16further comprising an end member shell secured along an exterior surfaceof said end member, said end member shell including a shell wall havingan outer surface along which said flexible spring member can at leastpartially form a rolling lobe.
 19. A gas spring and damper assemblycomprising: a damper assembly having a longitudinally-extending axis andincluding: a damper housing including a housing wall extending axiallybetween opposing first and second ends, said housing wall at leastpartially defining a damping chamber containing a quantity of dampingfluid; and, a damper rod assembly including an elongated damper rod anda damper piston secured along said elongated damper rod, said damper rodassembly operatively interengaged with said damper housing forreciprocal displacement relative thereto with said damper pistondisposed within said damping chamber and at least a portion of saidelongated damper rod projecting axially-outwardly from said first end ofsaid damper housing; and, a gas spring assembly disposed in axiallycoextensive relation with at least a portion of said damper assembly,said gas spring assembly including: a flexible spring member extendingperipherally about said longitudinal axis and longitudinally betweenopposing first and second ends such that a spring chamber is at leastpartially defined therebetween; a first end member operatively connectedto said elongated damper rod and/or operatively secured across saidfirst end of said flexible spring member such that a substantiallyfluid-tight connection is formed therebetween; and, the end memberaccording to claim 1 being a second end member with said second endmember supported on said damper housing and operatively secured acrosssaid second end of said flexible spring member such that a substantiallyfluid-tight connection is formed therebetween.
 20. A suspension systemcomprising: a pressurized gas system including a pressurized gas sourceand a control device; and, at least one gas spring and damper assemblyaccording to claim 19 disposed in fluid communication with saidpressurized gas source through said control device such that pressurizedgas can be selectively transferred into and out of at least said springchamber.